Patriots’ opponent, date for 2026 home opener revealed
The Patriots will welcome the Steelers to Gillette Stadium in Week 2 of the NFL season.
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - SEPTEMBER 21: Hunter Henry #85 of the New England Patriots completes a catch during an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Gillette Stadium on September 21, 2025 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images) | Getty Images The New England Patriots will start their 2026 regular season on the road, but they will be back in Foxborough in Week 2. Their home opener will be a matchup between two familiar foes: the Patriots will host the Pittsburgh Steelers, the ninth time in the last 10 seasons the two most successful NFL franchises crossed paths.
Kickoff at Gillette Stadium is set for 1 p. m. ET on Sunday, Sept.
20. Podcaster Kirk Minihane was first to report the matchup. The Patriots will enter their Week 2 game off a mini-bye.
With their Week 1 game being the NFL season opener against the defending world champion Seattle Seahawks — a game taking place on Wednesday, Sept. 9 — New England will enter their first home game of the season with 10 days of rest. The Steelers, meanwhile, will have played the previous Sunday.